Under normal circumstances any pupil who misses 20 days in a school year must automatically be reported to the Tusla – NEWB (National Educational Welfare Board). During Covid we are not in normal times so the school has some discretion. Therefore, that rule does not apply to pupils absent due to being sent home from school for having flu like symptoms. Similarly, days that a pupil spends at home self-isolating or waiting for a Covid test results do not count.
Allowances are made for any Covid related sick leave – only the unexplained days absent, with no reasons given, are followed up in the 20 days’ referrals. There is no need to worry over the number of Covid sick days, days isolating, or the days sent home with coughs etc. They are all explained days related to Covid so will not be included.
